Chapter 4: System Software Flashcards
Computer is:
Ubiquitous in our lives, and we expect them to “be there when we need them.”
We give little thought to the processes and programs running behind the scenes to
Keep them functioning effectively
Such programs (ie, operating systems, utility programs, and device drivers) are:
The system software you learn about them
Handles the technical details:
Include the operating system, utilities, device drivers, and language translation
Operating Systems
1) A collection of programs that handle technical tasks
1. Manage resources
2. Provide a user interface
3. Run applications
2) Examples:
1. Windows 7
2. Mac OS X
3) Also called the software environment or platform
The Function of an Operating System
1) Manages computer resources
- Coordinate memory, processing, storage, printers, and monitors
- Monitor system performance
- Schedule tasks
- Provide security
- Start up the computer
2) Provides user interface
- Graphical user interface (GUI)
3) Runs applications
- Multitasking
- Foreground and background applications
Features of an Operating System
1) Booting
2) Features in common with application software
1. Icons
2. Pointer
3. Windows
4. Menus
5. Tabs
6. Dialog boxes
7. Help
8. Gesture Control
9. Files and Folders
Categories of Operating Systems
1) Three basic categories
1. Embedded operating systems (handheld)
2. Network operating systems (linked computers)
3. Standalone operating systems (desktop)
Embedded operating system (handheld):
1) Smartphone
2) Cable TV tuner boxes
3) Video game systems
Network Operating Systems (linked computers)
1) Windows Server, Linux, Unix
2) OS stored on a network server which coordinates all communication between the other computers
Standalone Operating Systems (desktop)
Also called “client operating system”
Mobile Operating Systems
1) Mobile OS
2) Some of the best known
Mobile Os
An embedded operating system in every smartphone
Some of the best known from Mobile OS:
1) Android
2) BlackBerry OS
3) iOS
4) WebOS
5) Windows Phone
Virtualization
1) Ability to support multiple operating systems on a single physical machine
2) Virtualization software
3) Hyper-V
Virtualization software
Each virtual machine appears as a separate independent computer:
1. Host operating system
2. Guest operating system
Utilities
1) Specialized programs to make computing easier
2) Most essential utilities included:
Most essential utilities included:
- Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
- Antivirus programs
- Backup programs
- File compression programs
Utility Suites
1) Combine several programs into one package
2) Less expensive
3) Popular suites
Popular suites
- Bit Defender
- Norton Utilities
- ZoneAlarm
Making IT work for you - Windows Task Manager
Has the computer ever just stopped responding? What do you do?
Windows Task Manager is designed to
Help
Device Drivers
1) Allow communication between a device and the computer
2) Loaded into memory each time a computer is started
3) When a new device is added, new device drivers must be installed: “Add a Device Wizard - step-by-step.”
4) Windows already has many drivers within the system software
Computer support specialists provide technical support to:
Customers and other users
Resolve common networking problems and use troubleshooting programs to:
Diagnose problems
Employers look for:
1) Bachelor’s degrees
2) Good analytical and communication skills
Computer support specialists can expect to:
Earn around $31K - $58K annually
A look to the Future - IBM’s Aware Supercomputer
1) IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI)
2) Self-maintaining servers
IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI)
1) Handles time-consuming maintenance
2) Self-regulating and virtually invisible
Self-maintaining servers
1) Self-repairing
2) Self-updating
3) Self-protecting
